Former UN chief says Myanmar army must take first step to end violence

13 Sept 23:25 Key points summarised by AI

Former UN chief Ban Ki-Moon urged Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, to immediately cease violence and initiate constructive dialogue, emphasizing the military's responsibility to take the first steps.
His peacemaking mission addressed the ongoing crisis since the February 2021 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government and plunged the country into widespread conflict.
Ban warned that holding elections under current violent conditions risks exacerbating division and will likely not be recognized by the people of Myanmar, ASEAN, or the wider international community.
The visit underscores international concern as violence persists, exemplified by a recent air strike killing over 100 people, while Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.